Although I work from home on my own for most of my work time, it never really feels like I'm on my own, and that is mainly through the wonders of the internet and the amazing people I have met through it - even though I have only met a few of them in real life! I love being part of such a friendly, creative, supportive community. And it is such an international community too!
One part of this wonderful community life that I have enjoyed over the last through years is taking part in challenges. They have stretched my skills, introduced me to new techniques and improved my confidence in my design skills, especially when it comes to colour. So, when Lesley Watt (aka Thea Jewellery) asked if I'd like to be part of a Brit Pack of designers I didn't have to think twice! There are five Brits making up the Brit Pack Beaders, and I expect that you already know them through their blogs and shops, and if you don't then do go and visit them at the links below. They are.......
Lesley Watt - Thea Jewellery - www.thegossipinggoddess.blogspot.co.uk, www.THEAjewellery.etsy.com, www.theatoo.etsy.com
Rebecca Anderson - Songbeads - www.songbeads.blogspot.co.uk, www.songbead.etsy.com
Claire Braunbarth - Smitten Beads - www.smittenbeads.blogspot.co.uk, www.smittenbeads.co.uk
Jo Tinley (me!) - Daisychain Designs - www.daisychaindesignsjewellery.blogspot.co.uk, www.daisychainjewellery.co.uk, www.daisychainextra.etsy.com
"For each challenge, one person will
choose a theme based on anything they like - could be music, literature, film,
visual images anything at all that inspires that person. Each of us is then
allocated one of five design items - clasps, focal beads, accent beads, decorative
embellishments and stringing material, and must send each team member a
different one of those items that has some relevance to the theme. Ultimately,
we will all end up with a different bead soup created by 5 different people
with which to create a piece of jewellery inspired by the theme."
Lesley has kicked off the challenges with the photo below as inspiration
"Tangle" by Carolyn Saxby.
Carolyn is a Cornish textil/mixed media artist who takes amazing photos of the environment around her. You can see more of her work on Flickr here and also sells beautiful fabric beads in her Etsy shop, Cornish Pebbles.
Lesley has also sent all the pack members (apart from me - I'll come to that in a bit!) a slightly different clasp, Rebecca is providing the
focals, Claire the embellishments, Bo the accent beads and I've sent out the stringing
materials. For the next challenge we will rotate so that we get to send
different items.
The reveal for this first challenge will
be Wednesday 8th August and we would love it if you'd come back then to see what everyone got up to. I won't be in the country then - in fact, this post is coming to you through the wonders of blogger scheduling - so although I'm sending out the stringing materials I'm not actually making something for this challenge, but I'll come back on here to remind you about it!
In the meantime, if you'd like to find
out more about the Brit Pack Beaders you can visit their blogs using the links
below our photos.
This is just plain blimmin fantastic! The Brit Pack Beaders. I loooooove it. Great name. Great concept by Lesley. You are the coolest bunch of people also. These bi-monthly hops will be something I will be so much looking forward to check out. I think the world will be turning their eyes to Britain next week, and not because of the Olympics ... no no. There are other fantastic and way more exciting things going on. :-) Superb logo also. And what a beautiful inspiration you have this month.
ReplyDeleteThanks for Joining the team Jo, look forward to yo taking part on your return.
ReplyDeleteI've thought about trying to organzie soemthing like that.. but in Canada the shipping is so high that we'd all end up spending a fortune before we even got going! will definitely be back to see the reveal!
ReplyDeleteI shall enjoy seeing what you all make inspired by my photo "Tangle". Thank you.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn Saxby